Community based study on initiation of breast feeding and determining factors in rural area of Pondicherry

Abstract

Background: Early neonatal mortality is assumed to be less if the breast feeding is initiated within one hour of birth. There are different practices existing due to cultural and place of delivery in initiating breast feeding. Aim and Objective: To analyse the initiation of breast feeding and related determining factors in the rural area of Pondicherry. Methods: A cross sectional and community based study was carried out in the rural area among 350 babies aged between 6 to 24 months by interviewing mothers at their doorstep. The data were collected on independent and dependent variables which were identified to influence the initiation of breast feeding. Data was analysed using the SPSS statistical software.   Results: The rate of initiation of breast feeding was observed to be 75% of babies within one hour of birth. Maternal age, her educational level and occupation status as dependent variables, sex of the baby, type of delivery and gestational age at the time of birth as independent variables were observed to be determining factors for initiation of breast feeding.   Conclusions: Universal practice of initiating breast feeding should be adopted in order to save little babies and secondly most productive life in the later part.